JOHN SHORT, QMI Agency

EDMONTON - A major professional cycling event covering much of this province for six days next September was introduced yesterday by the Alberta Peloton Association.

Three Alberta cabinet ministers — Verlyn Olson, Christine Cusanelli and Heather Klimchuk — spoke in strong support of the project, known as the Tour of Alberta 2013.

One optimistic forecast suggested 300,000 spectators will line highways to watch the racers speed past and that “many millions” would be watching worldwide on television and the Internet.

Alex Stieda, the only Canadian ever to wear the yellow jersey as one-day leader of the Tour de France, said officials and board members have been working for about 15 months to make the dream a reality.

The government-controlled Rural Alberta Development Fund has granted $3.5 million in seed money, based on an anticipated financial impact of $30 million per year.